A sure-fire bet - France for the 2014 6 Nations

There comes a time, a great horse-racing journalist once wrote, to muster up the courage to bet like men.

Such an occasion sometimes presents itself to all those who like long-range bets, don't mind waiting to get paid out and enjoy taking advantage of longer odds than might otherwise be the case.

This is why - a Lions tour always knocks seven bells out of the British and Irish rugby teams. Most of the four squads are in bits by the end of the tour and have never recoverd sufficiently by the following winter, particularly when autumn internationals and the unending club schedule have taken their added toll.

Meanwhile, France spend most of their Lions off-season not trying too hard on whatever tour they have and laughing at the easy pickings that are coming their way. Look at the record in the professional era:

1997 Lions Tour - France complete the 1998 Grand Slam
2001 Lions Tour - France complete the 2002 Grand Slam
2005 Lions Tour - France win the 2006 6 Nations Championship, losing only to Scotland in Edinburgh
2009 Lions Tour - France complete the 2010 Grand Slam.

Coincidence - can't be, really, can it?

Get that money on now for France in 2014 and plan yourselves an even better summer holiday for that year!

It also helps that they'll have arguably their toughest opposition are at home - England and Ireland.

I reckon France will win it this year. Their front row is immense, they have electric backs and of course Morgan Parra, IMO the best Scrum Half in the world pulling their strings in attack.

The team to beat I think.

I think they will win this year too.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:I reckon France will win it this year. Their front row is immense, they have electric backs and of course Morgan Parra, IMO the best Scrum Half in the world pulling their strings in attack.

The team to beat I think.

People say this every year yet in recent times they have frequently lost to England in the 6 nations

They haven't beaten England at Twickenham since 2005 in the 6 nations. Last win in 2010 on their patch in the 6 nations

Last 6 out of 8 matches - England vs France - England has won in the 6 nations.

I agree that France may well win this year's title. However, they are currently 11-2 for the Grand Slam and only 2-1 to win the thing outright.

I've already been offered 9-1 about a French Slam in 2014, which I think a much more likely proposition than one this year. I also reckon that I can beat that price if I shop around. From a pure value point of view, the bet that I intend to strike about 2014 before this year's tournament gets underway represents a serious opportunity if one looks at the form on offer.

Good point about the Lions. Its a good experience for the players but not for their other teams. Its vital for players to get a summer off to give the body a break and help it build up again. Going on a Lions tour does the opposite and those players are at more risk of injuries the following season.

Where can you place a bet for 2014 6 nations?

kingjohn7 wrote:Where can you place a bet for 2014 6 nations?

Ask the bookies for a price.

Any decent bookie will accommodate you, kingjohn. After all, they're still offering odds on the return of Elvis, so a real event happening in 12 months time shouldn't stretch them too far!

A lot of people looking at france to win this year, but I don't think enough people are taking the carrot of the Lions into consideration, every int player must be thinking to themselves 'If I can just outperform myself today' 5 times in a row for a last ditch dive for a seat on the plane.

I think we'll see a hugely competitive 6N with too many players trying way too hard, we'll see glimpses of genius and match losing mistakes IMO!

England would be slight favs with France but Ireland and Wales could quite easily top the pile (well Ireland anyway, Wales don't have a fit 2nd row yet)

captain carrantuohil wrote:I agree that France may well win this year's title. However, they are currently 11-2 for the Grand Slam and only 2-1 to win the thing outright.

I've already been offered 9-1 about a French Slam in 2014, which I think a much more likely proposition than one this year. I also reckon that I can beat that price if I shop around. From a pure value point of view, the bet that I intend to strike about 2014 before this year's tournament gets underway represents a serious opportunity if one looks at the form on offer.

9-1 is excellent value

But theres no such thing as a sure fire bet in the six nations.

thebluesmancometh wrote:A lot of people looking at france to win this year, but I don't think enough people are taking the carrot of the Lions into consideration, every int player must be thinking to themselves 'If I can just outperform myself today' 5 times in a row for a last ditch dive for a seat on the plane.

I think we'll see a hugely competitive 6N with too many players trying way too hard, we'll see glimpses of genius and match losing mistakes IMO!

England would be slight favs with France but Ireland and Wales could quite easily top the pile (well Ireland anyway, Wales don't have a fit 2nd row yet)

2014

You would think Scotland would do well after a Lions tour as they're generally as unemcumbered as France by the whole thing.

France to lose against Ireland and England!!!

But yes they'll walk the 2014 season.